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Solution-Focused Coping: Benefits and Strategies

By , About.com Guide

Updated October 31, 2011

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Solution-Focused Coping: Benefits and Strategies

Solution-focused coping strategies can help you relieve job stress, relationship stress, school stress, and several other types of stress.

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Definition: Solution-focused coping strategies can be quite effective for stress management. Whereas emotion-focused coping strategies zero in on ways to minimize the emotional distress that comes from facing different stressors in one's life, solution-focused coping strategies center on changing the stressors that are causing the distress. In this way, eliminating the stressors eliminates the stress they bring as well.

Solution-focused coping can't be used in every situation--it isn't always possible to eliminate all sources of stress. For example, some on-the-job stressors like difficult co-workers, a long commute, or a heavy workload, are simply part of the job; quitting the job may bring more stress than these issues bring. Other stressors, like challenging projects, or even reasonable deadlines, keep things challenging enough to be interesting; if you eliminated all stressors, you would miss what it is that keeps life interesting. However, cutting out the stressors that bring the greatest wear and tear, the stressors that keep your stress response triggered and contribute to chronic stress, can be a valuable way to keep life enjoyable rather than overwhelming. But by learning strategies fo deal with the difficult co-workers, make the commute more enjoyable, or make the workload manageable, you can cut down on the stress of the job.

The following resources can provide solution-focused coping strategies for various situations:

  • Job Stress Relief
    Job stress can affect you in many ways. Find out how, and discover strategies for increasing job satisfaction and staving off burnout.

  • College Stress Relief
    College life presents challenges that are unique. Learn how to cope with the demands of tests, social pressures, and the demands that come with college life.

  • Money Stress Relief
    Most people are feeling financial pressure these days. Learn strategies for managing the money you have, and dealing with the stress of getting by on less.

  • Dealing With Difficult People
    Some people cause stress in our lives, and cannot be avoided. Learn strategies for dealing with the people who push your buttons the most.

  • Shorten Your List of Stressors
    Most of us have several things in our lives that bring small amounts of stress, but can be easily eliminated. Because all this stress adds up, cutting down on these minor stressors can bring major stress relief. Here's how to cut out extra stress.

  • Subscribe To The Free Weekly Newsletter
    Find resources, research, and tips for combatting stress, delivered to your inbox in easy-to-digest doses!

Also Known As: Solution-Based Coping

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